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Posted by Raven01 on December 13, 2002 at 12:38:51:
First let me stated that I don't want to start any arguments but I'd like some opinions from keepers on this subject. A while back I had a discussion with a dealer about taking an inexpensive animal to the vet. His opinion was that he would do his best to treat it himself, but would not take a $20 snake to the vet because it wasn't cost effective, even if it meant the snake dies. My opinion is that these animals didn't ask to be in our care and it is our obligation by keeping them to provide them with all the care they need - including medical costs. I just do not see living creatures as disposable in any way, regardless of initial cost.
Just a bit of background on why I'm asking this now. I got a grey rat snake at MARS back in September. He had a couple of scratches on his neck but was otherwise fine. I am familiar with the couple I bought him from, even though this was not an animal they had produced and was actually one they had gotten from an individual. The previous owner said the snake had scraped his neck on something in the cage and that was the cause of the marks. It was their opinion and mine that these marks appeared superficial and should disappear with his next shed. Well, he eats like a champ just like they said and appeared healthy in every other way. The marks didn't change in appearance, but he also did not go into shed. I began to soak him in a weak betadine solution a couple of weeks ago every 2-3 days to see if it would help heal the scratches and promote a shed. Late last week, I noticed some swelling around the scratches and began keeping a close eye on them. By Sunday his mouth had a small gap opening it on the same side as the scratches. First thing Monday I scheduled an appointment with my vet. It turns out the scratches were actually an infection from some sort of injury - the vet and I suspected a rodent bite but it is still possible it had been caught against something in the cage as the previous keeper stated. Anyway, they were opened up and cleaned out, he was given a topical salve (silvadene, I believe) to be applied daily this week and every 2-3 days thereafter, as well as 2 shots every 3 days for 9 doses. Needless to say, the visit and the meds weren't cheap, but the snake is worth the time & expense to me. I hadn't planned on selling him and he's by no means the first snake I've gotten that's turned into a rescue and racked up more than their value in medical costs. Do any other keepers, breeders or dealers look at it this way, or am I an oddball for forking over the cash?
Raven
